While to the untrained eye, the VIN looks a random series of letters and numbers. But when you understand how to read the VIN, it tells all kinds of information about the specific automobile that you are taking a look at. You can find out where the automobile was manufactured, who manufactured the automobile and plenty of attributes (engine type, body style and model) all from the numbers and characters in the VIN.
Just like everyone has a Social Security number, every automobile that is manufactured has a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The automobile industry started using the VIN in the mid 1950s. The VIN is a series of numbers and letters etched on a small metal plate. The VIN tag is located on the far corner of the dashboard on the driver's side of the automobile ( where the dashboard meets the front window).
Position one - Country where automobile was manufactured
Although through the years, the VIN has had a different number of characters, the current VIN standard has 17 characters. And interestingly , the letters I, O and Q are not allowed in the VIN number. Here is a breakdown of the numbers and characters that make up the VIN for each automobile.
Position three - Vehicle type and manufacturing division
Position two - The name of the company that manufactured the automobile
Position 9 - Check digit - helps to identify the accuracy of the VIN
Positions four - 8 - Vehicle Descriptor Section - specific to each manufacturer
Position 11 - Assembly plant where the automobile was actually put together
Position ten - Model year of the automobile
In order to exactly read and understand the VIN for a specific automobile, you will need a "translation" guide. This will help you decipher the specifics of each code. It can be found by looking for "VIN Information" on the Net.
Positions 12 - 17 - Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS) This is a number that is distinctive to each automobile - in a way like your Social Security Number
Get your free copy of the automobile purchasing glossary. It will help you understand the language of the automobile salesman and help you receive a better deal on your next automobile purchase.
Just like everyone has a Social Security number, every automobile that is manufactured has a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The automobile industry started using the VIN in the mid 1950s. The VIN is a series of numbers and letters etched on a small metal plate. The VIN tag is located on the far corner of the dashboard on the driver's side of the automobile ( where the dashboard meets the front window).
Position one - Country where automobile was manufactured
Although through the years, the VIN has had a different number of characters, the current VIN standard has 17 characters. And interestingly , the letters I, O and Q are not allowed in the VIN number. Here is a breakdown of the numbers and characters that make up the VIN for each automobile.
Position three - Vehicle type and manufacturing division
Position two - The name of the company that manufactured the automobile
Position 9 - Check digit - helps to identify the accuracy of the VIN
Positions four - 8 - Vehicle Descriptor Section - specific to each manufacturer
Position 11 - Assembly plant where the automobile was actually put together
Position ten - Model year of the automobile
In order to exactly read and understand the VIN for a specific automobile, you will need a "translation" guide. This will help you decipher the specifics of each code. It can be found by looking for "VIN Information" on the Net.
Positions 12 - 17 - Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS) This is a number that is distinctive to each automobile - in a way like your Social Security Number
Get your free copy of the automobile purchasing glossary. It will help you understand the language of the automobile salesman and help you receive a better deal on your next automobile purchase.
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